September is recognized as Hispanic Heritage month and Latin American countries were able to celebrate their independence but the celebration did not end there. Throughout October and November, the classes of Spanish for Spanish Speakers were able to learn more about Dia de los Muertos, a hispanic originated holiday, and decorate the halls with their idea of what represents Latin culture. Some drew about the hardships of feeling a disconnect with the United States but also feeling as though they don’t belong in their own ethnic country. Others were able to draw farm workers representing the hard labor their ancestors had to endure or what their family are still enduring up to this day. Drawings representing Latin art including calaveras, flowers, traditional dances, traditional food and more were also included. Brandy Gomez (10), a student in Ms. Ruiz’s 3rd period Spanish class, was able to say how even though he and his classmates are all different, they still had similar upbringings and were able to bond with their culture being the common denominator.

Day of the Dead is more than remembering and honoring the dead, it’s also about celebrating the life that they lived and the legacy that passed down to their loved ones. North Star’s Latino Leaders’ club came together to work on handmade nichos, which are like miniature shrines for altars, and added photos of loved ones to place on their Dia de los Muertos altar. The students were able to talk about the good times that they shared with the people they lost. It was a time to be comfortable enough to talk about the lives they lived instead of dwelling on how it ended.  Another tradition that the Latino Leaders’ club members were able to share, was the tradition of making their own barilettes. Barriletes are more common in Guatemala and are used to honor the dead. They are similar to big kites filled with art and color and fly up, usually during a festival, as a way to communicate with ancestors and protect them from bad spirits.

Kendra Limon is North Star graduate class of 2021 and Latino Leaders Club alum. After high school she has gone on to starting to make a name for herself as a chicana artist based in the midwest. Kendra expresses her chicano culture through her art, especially in the midwest where chicano culture isn’t as seen, she wants people to not forget that it exists and for her culture to never die. During the Dia de los Muertos celebration she was part of the Omaha Dia de Los Muertos Parade, and the Day of The Dead Festival for Proyecto Cultural in Lincoln where she hosted her own event. For the past year Kendra has been volunteering and coming back to her alma mater as a volunteer during Latino Leaders Club. After her time with the current North Star students, Kendra said she wants to leave them with the desire and ambition to want more in life and have their Latino(a) identity worn as their armor with pride instead of something that would weigh them down.